Shadow Table for Dynamic Cascade Port LAG Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing dynamic cascade port and Link Aggregation Group (LAG) changes in an 802.1BR-based extended bridge is challenging due to conflicting configurations and the need for efficient, non-blocking reconfiguration to maintain communication between network devices.
Innovation Solution
A network device in the extended bridge maintains a shadow table for cascade ports and LAGs, allowing for dynamic changes to be validated and executed without blocking user input, with a timer mechanism to ensure synchronized reprogramming across affected devices, thereby resolving conflicts and ensuring continuous communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system blocks user input during cascade port/LAG reconfiguration to ensure proper handling of changes, then configuration reliability is improved, but user productivity and system responsiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reconfiguration process into distinct phases: validation phase (where changes are checked against constraints) and execution phase (where changes are applied). The shadow table stores proposed changes during validation without blocking user input, separating the concern of change validation from change execution, thereby allowing continuous user interaction while maintaining configuration integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary validation of configuration changes by maintaining a shadow table that stores proposed modifications before they are applied. This preliminary action allows the system to check for conflicts and validate constraints in advance, ensuring reliability without requiring blocking operations during actual user input.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the system performs synchronous validation and application of cascade port/LAG changes, then configuration consistency is improved, but system response time and user experience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic reconfiguration approach where the shadow table is updated asynchronously with proposed changes. The system dynamically adjusts configuration state by first recording changes in the shadow table, then applying validated changes to the actual configuration. This dynamic separation allows the system to maintain consistency while responding quickly to user inputs without synchronous blocking.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system allows dynamic changes to cascade ports and LAGs during runtime, then system adaptability is improved, but risk of communication breaks and configuration errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation of dynamic changes by storing proposed modifications in a shadow table before applying them. This preliminary action allows the system to check for potential communication breaks and configuration errors in advance, ensuring that only valid changes are applied while maintaining communication reliability during runtime adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The shadow table acts as an intermediary between user input and actual configuration changes. It buffers proposed changes, allows validation against communication constraints, and mediates the transition from proposed to actual configuration. This intermediary mechanism enables dynamic adaptability while protecting against communication breaks by validating changes before they affect active connections.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for handling dynamic cascade port/LAG changes in an extended bridge are provided. According to one embodiment, a first network device in an extended bridge can maintain a shadow table that stores information regarding one or more ports and one or more LAGs used to interconnect the network devices in the extended bridge. The first network device can further receive, from a user via a device UI, a command relating to a change to a port or a LAG, update the shadow table based on the change, transmit a change message to one or more other network devices affected by the change, and start a timer associated with the one or more other network devices. In various embodiments, the updating and the transmitting can be performed without blocking the user from entering further commands via the device UI.